Multiple gang disk harrow



March 31, 1931. w, L PAUL 1,798,899

MULTIPLE; GANG DISK HARROW il y P6, 192'? 4 Shams-Sheet 1 J 7% m, 64 94 6M @5 MULTIPLE GANG DISK HARRQW Filed July 25, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 31, 1931. w. 1.. PAUL MULTIPLE GANG DISK HARROW Filed July 25, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 \ZZ zZ/z'am Z Fizz/f WIM M VJW L March 31, 1931.- w. L PAUL MULTIPLE GANG DISK HARROW Filed July 25, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mn.- 31, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM L. PAUL, OF BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR '10 J. I. CASE COMPANY, OF

RACINE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN MULTIPLE GANG DISK HABROW Application filed July 25,

This invention relates to multiple gang disk harrows of the type employing a pair of front disk gangs which can be angled relatively to each other, and a pair of rear disk gangs which can likewise be angled relatively to eachother, with cross-reaches between the two pairs of gangs through which an angling movement of the forward pair causes an opposite angling movement of the rear pair.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved cross-reach mechanism which, when the harrow makes a turn, will cause the rear gangs to trailthe front gangs more closely than has heretofore been possible. Another object is to provide a connection between the two rear gan s which will operate to lessen the s ace etween the rear gangs on a turn, there y helping to give each gang the proper angle to cause it to roll around a turn instead of being crowded or skidded around when short turns are made,

and will also operate to maintain the two rear gangs substantiall level and prevent the usual drooping of t e inner ends of the rear gangs when making a turn.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means for maintaining both'front gangs in alinement with and directly behind the front frame and prevent sidewise skidding thereof, both when they are angled and when they are straightened. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved pivotal arrangement of the crossreach mechanism between the front and rear gangs which will permit free rising and falling movements of the rear gangs relatively to the front gangs without straining the connections. A further object is to provide an improved tripping device controlling the angling and straightening of the gangs, and to provide in connection with such tripping device a simple adjustment by which the extent of angling movement permitted may be varied as desired.

Other objects and attendant advantages of the invention will become apparent to persons familiar with the art from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which 1927. Serial No. eoaiit'.

I have illustrated one simple and ractical embodiment of the invention, and w erein- Fig. l is atop plan of the harrow with the gangs in straightened position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the front and rear gangs angled to working position on a straight course of travel;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showin the relative positions automatically assume by the angled front and rear gangs when maklng a turn to the right;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section substantially in the plane of the offset line 4-4 of right hand front gang on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2

Fiq fi is a vertical section through the central ars of the triangular front frame on. the line 6--6 of Fig. 4, showing thetripping mechanism in rear elevation;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the adjustable cross-link employed to connect the inner end portions of the two rear gangs; and, Fi 8 .is an' -enlar 'ed vertical sectional detail ta en substantially" on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1..

My improved harrow employs the iisual triangular front frame comprising inclined side bars 10, rear cross-bar 11, and parallel spaced center bars 12 on which the collaps ible trip 'mechanism, later described, is mounted. To the rear corners of the front frame are rigidly attached hinge castings 13 in which are vertically pivoted a air of bailshaped links 14;, whose rear on s are similarly pivoted to the front gangs of the harrow near their outer ends. These gangs are provided with the usual disks 15 and bearings of any approved form. Each gang carries a rigid frame-piece 16 that is secured by angle plate 17 to the gang shaft bearings 18.

To the frame-piece 16 is secured an angle cross-bar 19, suitable for attaching scrapers (not shown) for the disk blades. The inner ends of the front gangs are connected with a forward angling device, hereinafter described, by means of brackets 20 and draft bars 21. The brackets 20 are formed with bearings which ivot on the forward depending arm of a pair of hail-shaped links 22 and 23, which arms are journaled in the frames 16 and in bearings lugs 18 on shaft bearings 18 (Fig. 4). A roller 24 on a vertically adjustable bail 2 5, cooperating with the bars 21, affords the usualmeans of regulatin the depth of cut of the inner ends of the front gangs relatively to their outer ends.

To prevent the front gangs swinging sidewise relatively to the front frame on the rear hinges of the links 14, and in a manner not to interfere with the free angling of the gangs, a pair of radius rods 26 and 27 are employed, pivotally connected at their forward ends to slotted brackets 26" and 27 on the respective rear corners of the front frame and at their rear ends to the inner ends of the gang frames 16 on the respective opposite sides. With this construction, manifestly a tendency of the two gangs to swing to either side is resisted by one rod acting as a tension member and the other.

as a strut.

The links 22 and 23, are pivotally united-at their rear ends. As shown in Fig. 4, the rear 23 encircling said depending arm of link.

22 and resting on the upper end of vertical bearing 28. A rod 31 pivotally connected to the'outer end ortion of one of the rear gangs has a bent orward end 31 forming a trunnion that is journaled in the horizontal bearing 30 of the floating coupling member and is long enough to prevent rotation of the j latter on the link 22, except when making turns. A rod32 functionally similar to rod 31 is formed at its forward end with an eye 32' which encircles the projecting portion of the trunnion 31 and is confined thereon as by a cotter-pin 33; the-rear end of rod 32 being pivotally connected to the outer end portion of the other rear gang. Rod 32 is coupled to .the trunnion 31' with sufiicient freedom to permit of-a small amount of widenin or narrowing of the rear ends of rods 31 and 32, such as happens during angling and when making turns. Rods 31 and 32 have depending arms constituting vertical pivots that are journaled in the frame-pieces 16 and bearings 18 of the rear gangs.

34 and 35 designate a pair of rods that pivotally connect the outer end portions of the forward gangs with the inner end portions of the rear gangs. The forward ends of the oblique rods 34 and 35 are bent to form trunnions 34 and 35 that are respectively journaled horizontally in bearing blocks 36, which latter are vertically pivote wardly extending bracket arms 39 and 40,

which bracket arms are rigidly attached to the shaft bearings of the rear gangs, and are so shaped as to clear the gang disks. Preferably the rear ends of the rods 34 and 35 are threaded into sleeves 41 and 42 which latter, as shown in Fi 4, are formed with depending stems 45 ournaled in bearings in the bracket arms 39 and 40. This construction permits ready alteration of the length of the rods 34, 35 when desired for correction or other reasons.

An important feature of this invention resides in a flexible coupling between the inner ends of the two rear gangs, which'has the two-fold function of making the rear gangs trail the front gangs more accurately ,when

making a turn, and adjusting the level of the inner ends of the rear gangs. This device, broadly described, consists essentially of a bail-shaped link, the two vertical limbs of which pivot on long vertical hearings in the inner ends of'the gang frames. In its preferred form, this member consists of two L- shaped rods 46 and 47 (Fig. 7), the upper inwardly extending arms of which are clamped between upper and lower half bearings 48 and 49, by means of clamp bolts 50. The two longitudinal halves of the bearings 48, 49 are formed at a slight angle to each other, as

clearly shown in Fig. 7 so that by loosening the clamp bolts 50, turning the bearin s on the arms, and retightening the clamp olts, the angles of the lower or vertical arms can be varied relatively to each other between vertical positions and positions inclined on both sides of the vertical. Thus, by adjusting the clamp bearing, the inner ends of the rear gangs can be maintained on a-level with their outer ends, or pitched downwardly slightly, or slightly elevated.

By reference toFigure 8 it will be observed that the upper bearings 16" in the rear gang frames for the spindles of links 31 and 32 are made sufficiently larger than the spindles to permit a vertical angling movement of the frame at this point; and the lower bearings for the spindles are formed as slots 18" extending parallel with the gang shafts, which permits the endwise tilting movement of the gang shafts to the extent required by the maximum adjustments of the gang-connecting yoke shown in Figure 7 Describing next the tripping mechanism controlling the angling and straightening of the "gangs, the forward ends of the draft bars 21 are pivotally connected at 51 (Figs. 4, 5 and6) to the lower end of a lever 52 that in turn is pivoted at 53 to and between a pair of upstanding bracket plates 54 mounted on the central frame bars 12. Also mounted on the central frame bars 12 is a segment rack 55. In constructions heretofore known a lever corresponding to the lever 52 has heretofore been provided with a handle and a dog ongageable with a segment rack, such as 55, for angling or straightening the gangs and locking the latter in either position. In the present invention I provide a lock by which the gangs are held in straightened position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, while the angling of the gangs is effected through the back drag of the inner ends of the forward gangs as the harroiv is driven forwardly upon release of the lock. A lever 56 is pivoted between its ends at 57 on the forward end ofthe segment rack and at its rear end it is pivoted at 58 to the forward end of a link 59 which latter is pivoted at its rear end at- 60 to the upper end of the lever 52. The centers 57, 58 and 60 are on or near a straight line and are held in that position by a. spring 61 that pulls lever 56 down onto a stop 62. The stop 62 is adjustable vertically on the segment rack 55 so as to make the lock more secure or more sensitive to tripping as may be desired. The forward end of lever 56 is connectedby a cord or chain indicated at 63 to a pull handle within reach of the driver, so that when the gangs are to be angled (which is done while the har row is being drawn forward) a slight lift of the lever 56 at its forward end breaks the lock by lowering the knuckle joint 58 out of line, whereupon the tendency of the inner ends of the front gangs and the outer ends of the rear gangs is to drag behind, thus drawing the bars 21 rearwardly, collapsing the lock, and swinging the upper end of lever 52 forwardly, as shown in Fig. 5, to a point where it strikes a suitable stop. This stop conveniently consists of a stop arm 64 pivoted at 65 between the bracket plates 53 and equipped with a spring-actuated dog 66 by which the lever can be set at any desired positionon the segment rack 55, to thereby determine the extent of an ling. To straighten the gangs, the harrow is acked, which operation forces the outer ends of backwardgvhile their inner ends lag up to a point where the centers 57, 58 and 60 snap into line under the pull of the spring 61.

The manner in which the described construction operates will be apparent from the foregoing description in connection with the plan views Figs. 1, 2 and 3 showing different positions assumed by the gangs and their controlling devices under different conditions. Fig. 1 illustrates the straight positions of the gangs assumed when the harrow is traveling to or from the field. Fig. 2 shows an angled position of the gangs such as is assumed when the harrow is working on a straight forward traverse. Here it will be observed that the radius rods 26 and 27 maintain the front the front gangs.

gangs close together and in proper alinement behind the front frame. Also the link connecting the inner end portions of the rear gangs holds the latter against a separating tendency and also serves to aline them relatively to each other in the horizontal planes in which they operate, while permitting, free angling and straightening movements. \Vhen the harrow is making a turn, such as is illustrated in Fig. 3, the combined "effect of the cross-reach rods and the link connecting the rear gangs is to cause the latter to assume an angle and follow a course to trail that of the front gangs. These sameconnections also hold the rear gangs at the same angle as the front ones on a straightaway course, and serve to transmit the same degree of angling movement from the front gangs to the rear ones. 5

It may be noted, by reference to li ig'sfl, 2 and 3, that the forward ends of the radius rods are permitted a slight play in-their pivot hearings on the front frame, which affords the necessary freedom to permit the bumpers on the inner ends of the front gangs to come together at any part of the angling or straightening movement.

By reference to Fig. 1 it will be'observed that the horizontal bearing 30 of the float ing coupling member 28 lies approximately,

in axial alinement with the horizontal bearings of the bearing blocks 36, when the gangs are straightened. When going over and across ridges or across furrows, the rear pair of gangs must flex on an axis passing through these horizontal bearings: and manifestly, by bringing the axes of these hearings sub stantially into alincment, less resistance is offered to free flexing, and bending strains on the cross-reach rods are practically eliminated.

The described tripping device relieves the driver of the manual labor of angling and straightening the gangs, and transfers this duty to the team or tractor; the angling movement being effected by a simple forward travel when the trip has been released, and, similarly, the straightening movement being effected by a backward movement of the harrow, with automatic return of the trip to locking position. This device through its pivotal mounting, eliminates unnecessary wear and friction heretofore accompanying the use of sliding members withdogs and sawtooth racks; and by the use of the adjustable stop 64, which may be operated, if desired, from the tractor seat, various angling settings can be secured.

While I have herein shown and described a practical embodiment of the rinciple of the invention which in practice lias been found to satisfactorily effectuate the stated purposes and objects thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the structural details shown and described for purpose of illustration, but re with those of the rear pair, and a U-shaped cross-link having its limbs journaled upright 111 the inner end portions of the gangs of the rear pair, the limbs of said cross-link extending substantially to the horizontal plane of the axis of said rear gang.

2. In a gang disk harrow of the type dereach type, the combination of a front frame,

scribed, the combination with front and rear pairs of gangs, of cross-reach members flexibly connecting the gangs of the front pair with those of the rear pair, and'a U-shaped cross-link having its limbs j ournaled upright in the inner end portions of the gangs of the rear pair, the-limbs of said cross-link being adjustable as to divergency from parallelism.

3. In a gang disk harrow, the combination with endwise opposed gangs, of a link pivotally connecting said gangs, said link comprisin a pair of L-shaped rods having their depending limbs journaled in the inner end portions of said gangs and their horizontal limbs extending toward each other, and a bent clamp embracing said horizontal limbs and adjustable around the latter whereby to vary the angular positions of said depending limbs. 7

4. In a gangdisk harrow of the ty e described, the combination with a front rame, and a pair of endwise opposed gangs in rear of said frame, of links connecting the rear corners of said frame with the outer end portions of said gangs, draft bars connecting the forward portion of said frame with the inner end portions of said gangs, and pivoted connecting members between said frame and said gangs permitting angling movement of the latter but preventin shifting of said gangs sidewise of said rame.

5. In agang disk harrow of the t e described, the combination with a front rame, and a pair of endwise opposed gangs in rear of said frame, of links connecting the rear corners of said frame with the outer end portions of said gangs, draft bars connecting the forward portion of said frame with the inner end portions of said angs, and a pair of crossed radius rods eac pivoted at one end to a rear corner portion of said frame and at its other end to the inner end portion of the gang on the opposite side.

6. In a gan disk harrow of the cross-reach type, the com ination of a front frame, front and rear pairs of gangs, draft connections between said frame and said front pair of angs, and draft and angling connections tween said front and rear gan s, said lastnamed connections comprising a oating coupling member, rearwardly convergent links pivotally connected at their forward ends to the inner end portions of said front gangs and vertically pivoted at their rear ends to said coupling member, rearwardly divergent links horizontally'pivoted at their forward ends on said coupling member and vertically pivoted at their rear ends in the outer end portions of said rear gangs, and rearwardly convergent links horizontally and vertically jpivoted at their forward ends on the outer end portions of said front gangs and vertically pivoted at their rear ends on the inner end portions of said rear gangs.

7. In a gang disk/harrow of the crossfront and rear pairs of gangs, draft connections between said frame and said front pair of gangs, and draft and angling connections between said front and rear gangs, said lastnamed connections comprising a floating coupling member formed with a rear ver-.

end portions of said front gangs and formed with horizontal bearings approximately in axial alinement with the horizontal bearing of said coupling member when said gangs are straightened, and rearwardly convergent links journaled at their forward ends in the horizontal bearings of said bearing blocks and vertically pivoted at their rear ends on the inner end portions of said rear gangs.

8. In a gang disk harrow of the cross-reach type, the combination of a front frame, front and rear pairs of gangs, draft connections between said frame and said front pair of gangs, and draft and angling connections between said front and rear gangs, said lastnamed connections comprising a floating coupling member formed with a rear vertical bearing and a fronthorizontal bearing, rearwardl convergent links vertically ivoted at their fbrward ends on the inner en portions of said front gangs and at their rear ends journaled in the vertical bearing of said coupling member, rearwardly' divergent links journaled at their forward ends in the horizontal bearing of said coupling member and vertically pivoted at their rear ends in the outer end portions of said rear gangs, hearing blocks vertically pivoted on the outer end portions of saidfront gangs and formed with horizontal bearings approximately in axial alinement with the horizontal bearing of said coupling member when said gangs are lift tltll lliii messes straightened, rearwardly convergent links jonrnaled at their forward ends in the hori-- Zontal bearings of said bearing blocks and vertically pivoted at their rear ends on the inner end portions of said rear gangs; and a link pivotally connecting the inner end portions of said rear gangs and permitting angling movement of the latter.

9. In a gang disk harrow, the Combination of a front frame, a pair of endwise opposed gangs, links connecting the rear corners of said frame to the outer end portions of said gangs, draft bars connected at their rear ends to the inner end portions of said gangs, a lever pivoted between its ends on said frame and connected at its lower end to said draft bars, a collapsible trip device controlling the forward swing of the upper arm of said lever, a fixed bar on said frame, a stop member disposed in the path of movement of said lever, and means for locking said stop member to said fixed bar in various positions lengthwise of the latter.

10. In a gang disk harrow, the combination of a front frame, a pair of endwise opposed gangs, links connecting the rear corners of said frame to the outer end portions of said gangs, draft bars connected at their rear ends to the inner end portions of said gangs, a lever pivoted between its ends on said frame and connected at its lower end to said draft bars, a collapsible trip device controlling the forward swing of the upper arm of said lever, a segment rack mounted on said frame, a stop arm pivoted on said frame in the path of movement of said lever, and a dog on said arm cooperating with said segment rack.

11. In a gang disk harrow of the type de scribed, the combination with front and rear pairs of gangs, of cross-reach members flexibly connecting the gangs of the front pair with those of the rear pair, and a U-shaped cross-link having its limbs journaled'upright in the inner end portions of the gan s of the rear pair, and vertically spaced earings journaling said limbs.

12. In a gang disk harrow of the type described, the combination with front and rear pairs of gangs of cr0ss-reach members flexihly connecting the gangs of the front pair with those of the rear pair, a U-shaped crosslink having its limbs journaled upright at spaced points in the end portions of the gangs of the rear pair, and means providing relative adjustment of the limbs of said crosslink so as to permit variation of the pitch of said rear gangs.

18. In a gang disk harrow of the type de scribed, the combination with front and rear pairs of gangs, of cross-reach members flexibly connecting the gangs of the front pair with those of the rear pair, and a cross-link for said rear pair of gangs comprising a pair of angular members having vertical limbs journalcd at spaced points in the inner end portions of the rear gangs, and having substantially horizontal limbs with an angular member adjustably securing said horizontal limbs approximately in line with each other.

WILLIAM L. PAUL. 

